Kansas Master Teacher Award

Shirley Stein

1998 Kansas Master Teacher

Fifth Grade TeacherSullivan Elementary SchoolUSD 214, Ulysses

The locker of every fifth-grader at Sullivan Elementary in Ulysses has the logo, "I Believe in Me" and every student in Stein's class believes the words on the class banner, "You Can Succeed."

Stein uses video performance portfolio assessments of students' accomplishments for each nine-week period, which the students share with their parents. Her social studies program includes many historical/civic understandings, such as mock elections, Kids Vote Programs, History Character Day, and a mock trial in the local courtroom.

She has been recognized for her innovation, earning the National and Kansas Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year, the National and Kansas Presidential Excellence Award in Science, the National Freedoms Foundation Valley Forge Medal of Honor, and the National Association Conservation Regional Teacher of the Year and Kansas Conservation Teacher of the Year twice.

Colleague Kathy Stuart said fellow teachers learn as much from Stein as the students. "Not only has she touched the lives of students, but we as her peers, have been motivated by her exceptional teaching style. Being very humble, she shares her awards and thrills with her fellow teachers."

A native of Belpre, Kan., Stein earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Fort Hays State University and has completed graduate hours and certification endorsements from several universities.